Wondering?

Burping is like breathing for the middle-school set. But for the rest of us, it's usually caused by swallowing air while eating or drinking. The air we breathe contains gases, like nitrogen and oxygen, and when these gases are swallowed, they that need to get out. Plus, our stomach already has air in it - thanks to bacteria inside producing gas and also from chemical reactions caused by digestive enzymes. When too much air is in our stomach, we force some out in a burp. That's the familiar feeling of air leaving the stomach, traveling up through the esophagus and out the mouth. Drinking sodas, beer and other carbonated beverages can make people burp more since they contain extra gas. The same thing can happen when you drink through a straw. Burping can be a sign of a more serious problem when it's accompanied by pain, heartburn, a decreased appetite or weight loss - signs of gallstones, ulcer, an enlarged spleen or gastroesophageal reflux.

Sources: KidsHealth.org, WebMD.com

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Wondering?

Burping is like breathing for the middle-school set. But for the rest of us, it's usually caused by swallowing air while eating or drinking.